Brown School Buzz
December 5, 2022
Dear Families,
With our first trimester coming to a close and conferences on the horizon, it’s a good time to offer some helpful information about your impending meeting with your child's teacher. While some parents look forward to these opportunities, others have wondered about the importance of the parent teacher conference, especially if “he’s doing fine.” Parent conferences are not only an opportunity to find out how your child is developing as a learner, but also to make a connection with the classroom teacher. We believe strongly in the importance of the parent partnership, and we do not take for granted how instrumental you are in the process of your child's learning and development.
So, what can you expect at the parent-teacher conference, and how can you help?
Your child’s teacher will provide you with your child’s progress data and latest assessment information for math and reading. He or she will also let you know how you can help strengthen areas of challenge at home. Your child’s teacher will make every attempt to answer the ever-popular, “How’s she doing in school?” inquiry. Please know this is a monumental question for teachers to address. There is so much your child is “doing in school” and while much of this “doing” is academic, there is a fair amount that is non-academic, yet has a tremendous impact on your child’s overall growth and development. Understanding and following classroom routines, working cooperatively in small groups, playing safely, and asking for help are all skills imperative to learning and development.
Our teachers will make every effort to make your conference a successful one. The National PTA has some great suggestions for parents to help achieve a successful conference as well, The following re their tips (edited for length).
Be on time
Get off to the right start: come to the conference on time. Remember that other parents may also have conferences scheduled for that day; if you arrive late, you may miss your conference altogether. You should also plan on ending the conference at the scheduled time so that other parents can start their conference on time.
Be present and be yourself
Relax and be yourself. Remember that you and the teacher both the want the same thing: the very best for your child. Please silence your cell phone to really be able to focus on the conference.
Stay calm
Stay calm during the conference. Respectful communication will be the most effective way to work together with your child's teacher.
Ask for explanations of anything you don't understand
Listen carefully to what the teacher says. If you don't understand something that the teacher talks about (such as an educational term or an explanation of a school policy), don't be afraid to ask for clarification.
Ask the most important questions early in the conference
Ask the most important questions first as you may run out of time, especially if other parents are waiting to have their conference after yours. You can always schedule another meeting or email the teacher to cover any points you weren't able to address in the conference.
Create an action plan
Ask your child's teacher for specific suggestions of ways that you can help your child at home with homework, reading, organization, routines, behavioral issues, etc. Make sure you understand the teacher's suggestions, and ask for clarification if you don't. This list of suggestions will become the action plan. Establish a way to keep track of the child's progress, as well as the best way to stay in touch with your child's teacher — through phone calls, emails, notes, or meetings.
Thank the teacher for meeting with you
Thank the teacher for their time and support of your child, as well as for anything specific that she has done to help your child.
After the conference
Talk with your child
Talk about the conference with your child. Emphasize the positive points, and be direct about any challenges that may have been discussed. If you and the teacher created an action plan, explain it to your child. Make sure that your child understands that you and the teacher created this plan to help make your child have the best school experience possible.
Start working on the action plan
Set the action plan in motion. To ensure that it is working, check your child's behavior and schoolwork on a regular basis. Ask your child how he feels about school and his schoolwork.
Keep in touch with the teacher
Stay in touch with your child's teachers. This will help you strengthen the parent-teacher partnership, and will be an important part of the child's success in school. When a child sees that parents and teachers are working together, the child will understand that his/her education is a top priority at school and at home.
With one trimester of the year in the books, we are looking forward to working with families to continue your child’s learning and development in a healthy, happy environment. We thank you for working with us so together, we can do just that!
Mary
Thank you Ms. Johnson!
After School Helpers!
SOme of the helpers from Ms. Johnson's Class
Thank you Brown School Community!
Trimester 1 Report Cards
CLICK HERE for more from the Marblehead Public Schools on Standards Based Report Cards.
Open Positions at the Brown School
-PK Paraprofessional
-Kindergarten paraprofessional
-Preschool Tutor
-Special Education Teacher
Please reach out to School Spring if you are interested, or know someone who might be interested, in being part of the Amazing Brown School Team!!! Feel free to reach out to me directly to learn more: maxfield.mary@marbleheadschools.org
Be sure to Note these Dates:
December 8-No School-(Parent Conferences)
December 15-Early Release -12:00-(Parent Conferences)
December 15-School Committee Meeting
December 13-PTO sponsored Holiday Shop
December 22-Early Release -12:00
December 23-January 2-Holiday Break
TUESDAY, January 3-Return to School
L & J Brown School
Email: maxfield.mary@marbleheadschools.org
Website: https://www.marbleheadschools.org
Location: 40-42 Baldwin Road, Marblehead, MA, USA
Phone: 7816393112